Aitch
An interesting and contetious word. Representing the eighth letter of the English alphabet and pronounced ay-ch, there is much debate as to how it should be correctly pronounced. As it comes via Old French (roughly: aish), I can see no reason why anyone should pronounce it h-ay-ch. Many people still persist in pronouncing it with an aspirated “H” at the front and indeed in certain dialects of English, it is the norm.
Where I come from – the South-East of England, originally – the H is often dropped from the beginning of words. I am tempted to believe that this is because we respect the French roots of the word and don’t pronounce it but I rather fear that it is simply because we’re a lazy bunch who can’t be bothered. A typical example of this so-called “Estuary English” would be something like e’s ad is dinner – he has had his dinner. Whilst this dramatically reduces the time needed to say anything and leaves one more free to drink premium lager and fight, it makes it a little difficult to comprehend.
H is also street slang for Heroin. Although, I’m guessing that if you’re wandering around town looking to score a wrap of opiate derivatives, pronunciation of the letter itself may not figure very high on your list of priorities.
Read that wrong at first.
Thought it said A Itch.
Which I haven’t got, incidentally.
Or is it ‘aven’t'?